Elton John Reveals New Album Written with a Fresh Perspective After Eye Troubles

Elton John, a prolific artist with over 30 studio albums, recently shared insights into his forthcoming album, describing it as a departure from his previous work, filled with happiness. He made these remarks at a gala event in Toronto, where he was honored with the prestigious Glenn Gould Prize.

John explained that vision loss resulting from an eye infection in 2024 necessitated a shift in his songwriting process after decades in the industry. "I’ve had eye trouble recently and I always make records by looking at lyrics and writing to lyrics, and so I’m kind of fucked at the moment," the 79-year-old singer-pianist said at the Theatre at Great Canadian Casino Resort in Toronto, where he accepted the award. The Glenn Gould Prize is an international accolade recognizing individuals who have made a significant lifetime contribution to enriching the human condition through the arts.

John, who retired from touring in 2023 after an extensive Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour comprising over 330 shows worldwide, and released the collaborative album Who Believes in Angels? with Brandi Carlile last year, elaborated on his new approach: "What my eye has given me is a chance of, at 80 years of age, completely reversing how I write. I’m writing melodies first, and lyrics coming second. I’ve never done that.  And I’ve just done it."

"And I’ve just done an album, which is so different to anything I’ve ever done before, but it’s so happy," he continued. "I’m so thrilled with it because it’s given me another chance to make music."
Elton John

John contracted a severe eye infection in the summer of 2024. In September of that year, he publicly addressed the issue, revealing that he had "only limited vision in one eye" and that "it will take some time before sight returns to the impacted eye."

In an interview with Variety a little over a year later, he shared the impact of his vision problems: "It’s been devastating. Because I lost my right eye and my left eye’s not so good, the last 15 months have been challenging for me because I haven’t been able to see anything, watch anything, read anything."

The news that he has adapted creatively and completed a new solo album was welcomed by fans at the gala. "If I don’t make music, I’m dead," he told the audience. "If don’t listen to music, I’m dead. Music is my soul, my driving force. It is everything and has been everything to me all my life."

Glenn Gould Prize recipients receive $100,000, which John donated back to the Glenn Gould Foundation. The honor also includes the opportunity to select the winner of the Glenn Gould Protégé Prize of $25,000. He chose mezzo soprano Emily D’Angelo, stating, "I know a star when I see one. You’re an immaculate performer, an immaculate singer and I’m so proud to be giving you this award."

John also used his six-minute speech to express his appreciation for Canada and to make a jab at Trump. "It’s so nice to be in Canada and have a concert for Canadian artists, who all I know. It’s also nice to be in a country that has common sense," he said, eliciting cheers and applause.

"I have a family, here.  David [Furnish], my husband, his family are my family. They live in Toronto. They’re part of my life. They’re part of my soul. My children, they love it here so much. They love their cousins and their family here. It is part of my life. I am a Canadian," he added, receiving even more applause.

He continued: "And I can tell you, it’s not the fucking 51st state, either." This remark was met with even louder and more sustained cheers. "It’s a country that has accepted immigrants and does not throw them out.  It’s a country that embraces all sorts of people, all races, and I love it, and I can’t thank you Canada enough for everything they’ve ever done for me."

John then surprised the audience by joining the Canadian performers he had personally selected for the evening on stage for a grand finale performance of "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road."

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